Beverly J. Urgaris

Beverly J. Urgaris, 88, of Blakeslee, died Thursday, April 25, in the Golden Living Center-East Mountain in Wilkes Barre. She was the wife of the late Donald J. Urgaris.

Born in West Pittston, she was a daughter of the late Harry M. and Hazel (Frame) Shafer.

During World War II, Beverly was one of the "Rosie the Riveters," working for Curtiss-Wright in Buffalo, N.Y., where she worked on fighter and cargo planes. Later, she worked as a cook at many local restaurants for 15 years with 12 of those years spent at Pocono Trail Lodge in Blakeslee.

Beverly enjoyed crossword puzzles and crocheting afghans, but her family was the most important thing in her life.

She was the loving mother of two children, Donald T. Urgaris and his wife, Dawn, of Pocono Pines and Cheryl Chestnut and her husband, Robert, of Safford, Ariz. She is also survived by two sisters, Zoe Smith of Pocono Lake and Elma Baird and her husband, Walter, of Blakeslee; four grandchildren, Mandy Urgaris of Picayune, Miss., Lora Urgaris of Clearwater, Fla., Tara Lynn Chestnut of Allentown and Dustin Chestnut and his wife, Tammy, of Newville; a great-granddaughter, Zoe Rebecca Malsberger of Allentown; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harry McKinley Shafer III and Theodore Roosevelt Shafer.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all of Beverly's caregivers and home health aides that took care of her over the years.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, from the Kresge Funeral Home, 1763 Route 209 Brodheadsville, with the Rev. David Felker officiating. Burial will be in Blakeslee Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.